Roundup: Oz Sanchez Proud Of His Hispanic Heritage
by Paul D. Bowker
Every other week we scour the web for the latest going on in the world of U.S. Para-cycling. Here’s what you missed!
Museum Spotlight
Oz Sanchez, a six-time Paralympic medalist, rides proudly as a Mexican-American.
He was featured in a recent “Spotlight” segment by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum.
“I can remember being a proud Hispanic, proud of my Mexican heritage. I was fortunate enough that I wasn’t really a minority in schools. The statistic is that L.A. is Little Mexico because it has the second-largest population of Mexican,” Sanchez said. “Certainly, when you are part of a majority, it makes life a little bit easier.”
More Honors for Oksana
Oksana Masters, a U.S. Paralympian who has won 17 medals as a cyclist, Nordic skier and rower, was named “Best Female Winter Athlete” at the inaugural 2023 PARA SPORT Awards last month in Bahrain.
Masters, who has won 14 of her Paralympic medals in Nordic skiing, came back from injury to defend her cycling world title in the road race this year.
Meanwhile, “The Hard Parts,” Masters’ recently released autobiography, is on a list for sports book of the year.
“OMG! I’m so excited to learn my memoir ‘The hard Parts’ is on the longlist for @WilliamHill Sports Book of the Year,” Masters wrote on social media. “Thank you @cassidyjrandall for helping bring my story to life.”
Pinney and his AI Cat
Ryan Pinney, a 2020 Paralympian, discovered a new toy with AI.
Yearbook style.
“I graduated high school on 1999 and this AI 90s yearbook trend is hilarious!” he posted on Instagram. “Introducing the AI high school version of myself, which in some pictures is way cooler than I was … and in others not so much … why do I have a cat on my shoulder? Enjoy a good laugh while scrolling through these photos! What was your favorite part of the 90s?”
Doctor in the House?
Zach Stinson, a two-time Boston Marathon handcycling champion, fought off severe sickness to race at the UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
“I probably sweated out half a pound of water weight,” the U.S. Marine vet told USParaCycling.org.
Stinson is hoping to compete on the world cup tour in 2024 and take a run at spot on the U.S. team for the Paralympic Games Paris 2024.
Read more here.
Double Champions
There’s another race winner in the Bosco residence. Andrew Bosco, husband of 2016 Paralympian and two-time 2023 world champion Samantha Bosco, has been enjoying recent success as a BMX racer.
“Now there’s double champs in the house,” Samantha Bosco posted on her Instagram account. “Helping him move his leg after his broken femur was fixed to winning his targeted race four months later, all the obstacles and challenges, all of the muck … ugh. To say I’m proud is an understatement.
“And to think I was the only stubborn and impatient one in the house.”
Celebrate the Coaches
National Coaches Day was Oct. 6, and U.S. Paralympics Cycling was among those celebration.
Americans in Paris
Ready for Paris?
It might be time to start packing. Tickets for the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 are on sale now.
Mums the Word
For three-time Paralympic medalist Jill Walsh, fall season is flower season.
“It’s mum season!” she posted on Instagram.
Paul D. Bowker has been writing about Olympic and Paralympic sports since 1996, when he was an assistant bureau chief in Atlanta. He is a freelance contributor to USParaCycling.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.